Acting mayor Lisa Intemann has helped navigate a compromise that will see the popular Real Food Markets exempt from Port Macquarie-Hastings Council's just-introduced markets policy.
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The adopted markets policy controls the timing of markets in the CBDs to prevent unreasonable competition to permanent shop owners from markets in terms of both trade and parking.
The new policy was adopted in November. Stallholders raised their concerns about the new policy's impact on their operations.
Council noted that the Real Food Markets are unlike other markets in offering fresh regional produce including organic and pesticide free.
They have operated for two years in Port Central forecourt each Tuesday and have considerable public support.
Speaker and stallholder Desley Bailey described the markets as "a community" and "a vibrant place".
"Weather-wise it has been a tough season but the implementation of this policy has impacted us significantly," she told Wednesday night's council meeting.
"Our sales are well down.
"People love coming to the fresh food market. Our priority is to serve our local community; the Real Food Markets is an experience and an outing.
"We continually have Sydney visitors urging us to bring our Real Food Markets to them because they don't have this opportunity where they live.
"But our priority is to serve our local community," she said.
It is a community that this market is establishing.
- Desley Bailey
"We are sharing the love. That is our desire."
Ms Bailey said the stallholders had made real connections with many of their regular customers.
"It is a community that this market is establishing," she added.
She said the Real Food Market is becoming something that we all want to be part of.
Fellow stallholder Ian McKittrick asked why was council trying to control a free market enterprise?
"These markets are organised through Port Central management and have been strategically placed on a Tuesday to help increase through foot traffic for Port Central," he told the meeting.
"The real food market is the best market for showcasing high quality, fresh produce.
"Councillors, it is time to listen to the overall support of the real food market.
"Work with us. Don't kill the market," he said.
Cr Intemann thanked "all those within this (council) organisation for coming together on the matter and working on a way forward.
"We are very proud that we have local growers in this area," she said.
The exemption for the real food market will enable stallholders to begin setting up at 11am and operating by noon.
Cr Rob Turner congratulated the acting mayor on her role in the exemption.
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